Worcester Technical High robotic team among the elite

Worcester Technical High School robotics team members and leaders are proud that they are one of only five schools in the world that made it to the world robotics competition six out of six years.

The Worcester Technical High School Robotics and Automation Technology Team — the Tech-Know Commandos — will spend their April school vacation in Anaheim, Calif., competing in the 2013 VEX Robotics World Championship from April 17-20.

Michael Meagher, department head of the robotics and automation technology program, said he is excited about the team's accomplishments and very proud of his students. He said the theme of this year's competition, “Sack Game,” was announced at last year's competition.

“The plane ride home from Anaheim was just comical,” Mr. Meagher said. He said the students immediately began planning their strategy last year, and have not stopped working and brainstorming since. He said the five members of the Tech-Know Commandos team competed in seven regional competitions during the school year. “These kids came home with six out of seven championships,” he said.

Team members Natalie Correa, senior; Jason McKinney, senior; Greg Carlson, junior; Jake Richard, junior; and Kahlan Cardin, sophomore, demonstrated the “Sack Game” for sponsors and city and school officials Monday morning at the high school.

“I think we have a pretty good chance,” Ms. Cardin said. She began competing in robotics in middle school because her science teacher thought she might enjoy it.

Working against other team's robots, the goal is for the robots to scoop up as many bean bags and deposit them in scoring troughs in a 12-foot by 12-foot area. Teams command their robots to work as quickly as they can.

Mr. Meagher said the team has never gone into a competition with the same robot design.

City Manager Michael V. O'Brien congratulated the team for advancing to the robotics championship and thanked Worcester Polytechnic Institute, National Grid and Metso Automation for funding the trip, before he took a turn driving the robot.

Mr. O'Brien said he is an avid supporter, and he told the team he wanted frequent updates from Anaheim. He said the high school's successful robotics program was “fuel for our local industry here.” Last year's team placed 14th out of 100 teams.

More than 230 top robotics teams will compete in this year's VEX Robotics World Championship.